240 Miscellaneous. 



Cassi7m,W oodhonse (Proc. Ac. Sc.-Philad.vi. p. 60), than to any other 

 species with which I am acquainted ; but differs from this entirely 

 in the markings of the upper surface, the whole centre of the fea- 

 thers being dark, whereas in Z. Cassiiiii the dark colour is confined 

 to a subapical spot. The structure of the two birds is very much 

 alike, but the feet are rather stronger in the present species. I hope 

 M. Botteri will forward better specimens of this interesting species 

 (the exan:iples in the present collection being badly preserved), so 

 as to allow me to make a more accurate investigation of its differen- 

 tial characters. 



DiPLOPTERUS EXCELLENS. 



Similis D. ncevio ex Amer.Merid. sedmajo)', supra magis rufescens, 

 caudce tectric'ibus superiorihus cinnamomescenti-rujis nigro 

 longitudinaliter striatis : sxihtus purhfs alhus, pectore non 

 cinerasceiite, sed ^)ffM?«/««^ 7'ufo tincto : crisso rufescente : 

 rostro breviore, aJtiore ; tarsis longioribus. 

 Long, tota 11'7, alee 4"5, caudte 6'3, tarsi 1*4. 

 M. Jules Verreaux, whose experienced eye is ever active in distin- 

 guishing new species, called my attention to this bird of M. Salle's 

 last collection, after I had somewhat doubtfully referred it to D. 

 ncevius. Upon a close re-examination it certainly appears distinct 

 from the South American species, and I have set forth above the 

 grounds of difterence, though I have some doubts whether the pre- 

 vailing rufous tinge of the back may not be owing to the bird being 

 not quite adult. I have not adopted the term mexicanus, which M. 

 Verreaux has used for this species in his MS. as we have already a 

 Dromococcyx mexicanus, which is of a genus not separated by many 

 authors from Biplopterus. — Proc. Zool. SocAQ^J. 



On a quantity of Crabs thrown up on the Beach in Payta Bay. 

 By Dr. C. Torbes, R.N. 



For some time previous to the occurrence of a severe earthquake- 

 shock, on or about the 30th August 1857, the Bay of Payta swarmed 

 with crabs, of a kind not generally observed, and ten days after the 

 earthquake they were thrown up on the beach, in a raised wall-like 

 line, 3 to 4 feet wide, and to the height of about 3 feet, along the 

 whole extent of the bay, and above highwater-mark. 



At the same time that the upheaval of the crabs took place, the 

 water of the bay became changed, from a clear blue, to a dirty 

 blackish-green colour, much resembling that off the Island of Chiloe, 

 Concepcion, and the southern parts of Chili. Ten days afterwards, 

 Dr. C. Forbes found that living specimens of the crabs were still 

 numerous in the bay, but all appeared to be sickly, and numbers 

 came ashore to die. 



There were no appearances of any alteration of the relative 

 position of sea and land in the vicinity, nor had any ebullition of 

 gases been observed ; although probably to both these causes com- 

 bined the phsenomenou described was due. — Proc. Geol. Soc. Jan. 6, 

 1858. 



